The first problem to be solved is the training time.
There is a contradiction in this: if you want to continue to stay in Stalingrad, you must complete the task of producing the assigned rifle parts. Otherwise, if the superiors know that this unit is doing nothing in Stalingrad, they will soon be transferred and consolidated.
Assign new tasks.
However, this problem is not difficult to solve.
"All workers have training time!" Kalashnikov explained: "Although the tasks are heavy, there are about two hours of basic military training every day, and of course you have it too!"
This is a wartime mechanism, so that when the number of troops is insufficient, these workers can be recruited into the army at any time and at any time, and then they can fight immediately.
This system started during the defense of Moscow and has now spread to other cities, including Stalingrad.
"But two hours is definitely not enough!" Shulka said: "We need at least half a day, which means half the time to train and half the time to work!"
After thinking about it, Kalashnikov replied: "You can do this. We will transfer some skilled technicians to your production team, and their extra production volume will be enough to make up for the vacancies left by you!"
"Thank you, Comrade Kalashnikov!"
"Don't say that!" Kalashnikov replied: "I know you are not doing it for yourself, you are doing it for the Soviet Union. So, you think you owe me a favor? No, I don't think so!"
After a pause, Kalashnikov lowered his voice and said: "So, you always thought that the Germans would attack Stalingrad, right? That's why you brought your troops to Stalingrad and bought time to train?"
Shulka did not deny it, he nodded slightly.
"Why don't you report it to your superiors?" Kalashnikov asked: "Tell them what you think!"
"They won't believe me!" Shulka replied: "I'm just guessing. Even I don't know if the Germans will really do this!"
"Why do you have such a guess?"
"German tactics!" Shulka started to talk half-truths again. He pointed at the map and said: "The Germans are used to encirclement or pincer attacks. If they cannot capture Moscow from the front, they will
Find a way from the flank. It will be more difficult if it comes from the north, because it will lengthen their supply lines. It will be much faster and safer from the south flank!"
"You're right!" Kalashnikov nodded: "They have already reached Crimea, and Odessa is also in danger!"
"Odessa?"
"Don't you know yet?" Kalashnikov said: "The 11th Army and the Luftwaffe are concentrating their efforts on attacking Odessa, and it can hardly hold on!"
Shurka almost lost contact with the outside world during the time he was transferred to the 82nd Infantry Regiment, so he knew nothing about the battle situation... Cannon fodder units like the 82nd Infantry Regiment did not need to know much intelligence.
After thinking about it for a while, Shulka believed that the German army's approach was correct.
Odessa and Kiev were stuck on the German rear supply line like two spikes, one up and one down. If the German army wanted to attack Stalingrad, this combination must be eliminated.
Otherwise, the Soviet army can attack at any time from Kiev and Odessa to cut off the supply line of the German Army Group South and surround it like last time.
Of the two, Odessa's geographical location is actually more important.
Kiev seems to have a large number of troops, with hundreds of thousands of people, but it has always been in a state of insufficient supplies and a serious lack of heavy equipment. The defense is barely adequate, but it wants to launch a counterattack, but it is not strong enough to launch a counterattack.
Not so in Odessa.
Odessa is a port city. During the day, the German army can use its air force to blockade it. At night, the Black Sea Fleet can transport troops and supplies to Odessa.
When the savings reach a certain level, Odessa can launch a fatal blow to the German army.
Therefore, the German army must occupy Odessa, and for Kiev... it is enough to adopt the tactic of encircling but not attacking, just like the German army encircled Leningrad.
"How long can it last?" Shulka asked.
"Maybe a week, or a few days!" Kalashnikov said: "I'm not sure, but what is certain is that it won't last long, because the Germans brought several huge artillery pieces to Odessa and launched a shocking attack on them.
Horrible bombing!"
"Big gun?"
"Yes!" Kalashnikov said: "They said that it only takes one artillery shell to blow up an entire building, and fortifications more than ten meters deep underground will also be blown up!"
Shulka certainly knew what it was.
However, in history, these giant cannons were deployed by Manstein for bombing in the Sevastopol Fortress. Unexpectedly, they were now used in Odessa...History is always surprisingly similar.
The only difference is that Sevastopol can withstand bombing for about a month, while Odessa, which has no permanent fortifications or large-caliber artillery, may be destroyed in just a few days.
"Do you think they are preparing to attack Stalingrad?" Kalashnikov asked.
"Yes!" Shulka nodded: "There are many benefits to taking Stalingrad. If you go north, you can enter the rear of Moscow and surround it. If you go east, you can cut off the connection between the Caucasus and the Baku oil fields and the mainland. If you go south, you can occupy Pakistan.
The library oil field provides an excellent supply point for the German war machine!"
"At that time, it will increase our burden exponentially and reduce Germany's supply pressure!" Kalashnikov couldn't help but widen his eyes after hearing this.
"Yes, if they capture the Baku oil fields!"
The importance of this is self-evident.
At this time, the supply of the Baku oil field accounted for 70% of the entire Soviet Union. Once it fell into the hands of the Germans, it meant that 70% of the Soviet tanks, cars, aircraft, etc. would be unable to fight, and production would decrease exponentially.
As for the German army, they no longer need the fuel that they originally had to transport all the way from the Romanian oil fields to the battlefield. They can get enough fuel directly from the Baku oil fields.
The saved transportation capacity can provide them with considerable weapons, ammunition, troops and supplies.
At that time, the balance of victory would undoubtedly tip to Germany's side, and even if Britain resumed providing aid to the Soviet Union, it would be of no avail.
Kalashnikov became more and more frightened as he thought about it. He asked Shulka: "Are you sure we shouldn't report this to our superiors?"
Shulka smiled bitterly and said: "Comrade Kalashnikov, do you think they will worry about this?"
Kalashnikov thought for a moment, then nodded helplessly.
"You're right, Shulka!" Kalashnikov said: "They don't worry about this at all, because they are accumulating troops to launch a counterattack! In their minds, they should be blowing the bugle of victory and moving forward.
Advance instead of worrying that Stalingrad in the rear will be occupied by the Germans!"